Direct feed mechanism interconnecting cigarette packer and cellophane wrapper apparatus



Feb. 1.8, 1964 I A. c. MIZELL 3,121,301

T T DIRECT FEED MECHANISM INTERCONNECTING CIGARETTE PACKER ANDCELLOPHANE WRAPPER APPARATUS 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 30, 1962 INVENTOR. flDF/fl/V C 44/26 11 5 BY VM JMM Feb. 18,1964 A. c. MIZELLE3,121,301

' DIRECT FEED MECHANISM INTERCONNECTING CIGARETTE PACKER AND CELLCPHANEWMPPER APPARATUS Filed Jan. 30, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. ADIPM/VC. M/ZfLLE A rmgwfrs Feb. 18, 1964 A. c. MIZELLE 3,121,301

DIRECT FEED MECHANISM INTERCONNECTING CIGARETTE PACKER AND CELLOPHANEWRAPPER APPARATUS Filed Jan. 30, 1962 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR. ADP/ANc. M/Z'LL' ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3,121,??31 DEEP-JCT FEED MEHANEM ENTERQGNNECT- ENG CE-IGARETTE PAQKER AND CELL DlHr J ZE WRAPPERARPARAEUS Adrian C. Missile, Petershurg, VZL, assignor to Brown ftlliliiamson Tobacco Qorporation, Louisville, Ky a corporation ofDelaware 1 Filed .lau. 3t 1952, Ser. No. 169,352 2 Claims. (til. 53-7The present invention relates to a direct feed mechanism,interconnecting cigarette packer and cellophane wrapper machineryemployed in the manufacture of packaged and cellophane Wrappedcigarettes and similar tobacco products.

A typical line in the manufacture of packaged and cellophane wrappedcigarettes for public consumption will probably include a cigarettepackaging machine which forms the selected package containing apredetermined number of cigarettes, usually twenty, plain or filtertipped. The packets thus produced are then transferred to cellophanewrapping machinery which completes the cigarette package by hermeticallysealing the enclosed cigarettes so that the moisture, flavor and aromathereof is retained until the package is deliberately opened and thecigarettes smoked. Heretofore it was customary to effect this transfermanually.

A number of attempts have been made to interconnect the cigarette packerand cellophane wrapper machines so that the packets could be transferredautomatically. However, these automatic link-ups did not prove efiicientor reliable. Costs were not appreciably reduced nor labor and productiontimes improved to any significant extent. In this connection themalfunctioning of the connecting mechanism ordinarily resulted inconsiderable shut-down time pending the rectification of the trouble.

For example, it was suggested that such mechanism include a conveyorhaving chains driven by sprocket wheels. Widely used packaging machinerywould ordinarily discharge the packets in a substantially vertical orupright position. The individual packets were therefore initiallyreoriented from an upright to an on-side position while in asubstantially vertical plane. Cross-rods or lugs were mountedtransversely between the chains of the conveyor and arranged to engagethe packets and transfer them to the cellophane wrapper disposed at alower level than the machine which fills the packages. The packets wouldnow be disposed in a horizontal plane with their longest dimensionsbeing substantially normal to the intended path of travel of the packetsthrough the wrapper machine.

However, the chain lugs used to transfer the packets from the turningdevice to the cellophane wrapper caused considerable shutdown time ofboth the packer and wrapper machines. Unfortunately, an appreciable lossof operational efhciency was experienced. This was a result of thepackets hanging on the conveyor and not releasing at the proper timewhen approaching the inlet end of the wrapper machine. Consequently, theautomatic cycle of operation would be stopped in order to relieve thehung packet and necessarily retime the lug chain.

With this in mind, time and effort of a machinist or like qualifiedpersonnel would be required to attend to the situation. The quality ofthe cigarette packs were detrimentally afiected primarily by the chainlug hangup. In any event, the unpredictability of constant andtrouble-free operation was of endless concern necessitating the presenceof an operator whose function was to check packet quality. Needless tosay, there was a loss in total production time; and the efiiciency ofthe particular link-up was not sufficiently high to render it practicalfor inclusion in the cigarette manufacturing line.

It is therefore a principal object of the present invention to providean automatic feed attachment for cigarette packaging and cellophanewrapping machines which avoid the many drawbacks and disadvantagesincident to the many prior attempts at this link-up.

Another object is to provide a direct feed mechanism between cigarettepackaging and cellophane wrapping machinery which eliminates the needfor a timing device therebetween; maintains the quality of packetsdischarged by the packaging machine as they are transferred to thecellophane wrappin. machine; minimizes, if not eliminates the need forconstant or, for that matter, periodic quality check at frequentintervals; does not materially affect total production time due toineificiency or down time; decreases labor time and cost of a cigarettemanufacturing line; is formed from a minimum number of parts eachindividually simple to construct and assemble at relatively low cost.

Briefly stated, the direct feed mechanism of the present invention isinterposed between a packaging machine and cellophane wrapping machineand takes advantage of a turning device incorporated into the packagingmachine at the discharge end thereof. This turning device serves to turnthe normally vertical packets in a vertical plane to a substantiallyhorizontal position while still in this plane. The packets aredischarged from the turning device into a curved or arcuate chute whichforms an extension of the turning device and has its discharge endterminating at the inlet of thecellophane wrapping machine. The chutefunctions to reorient the packets whereby they are disposed in asubstantially horizontal plane. The packets will be received thusly bythe cellophane wrapping machin with their long dimensions beingsubstantially normal to the direction of feed.

As will be more fully explored shortly, the cellophane wrapping machineis set to run somewhat faster than the packaging machine and in order toprevent the wrapping operation from getting too far advanced of thepackaging cycle, automatic means are provided by the present inventionto cut off the wrapping machine until the packer has time to catch up.At this time, the Wrapper will r some its normal operation until suchtime as it is once again necessary for the packer to catch up with thewrapper. This automatic means includes a photo-electric switch on thechute for stopping the wrapping machine when the chute does not containpackages up to the level of the photo-electric eye. The photo-electricswitch control unit is accompanied by a time delay so that the intervalbetween two or three packages and at the same time the small gaps whichmay occur between packs will not cause the cellophane machine to stopand start unnecessarily. Thus, the sequence of operation will beperformed as pre-set until such time as the wrapper input excoeds packeroutput by a prescribed number of packets. This di ferential is detectedby the photo-electric switch which, through the timing device, ineffect, measures the package level drop. Before the stack of pack agesbelow the photoelectric switch is completely drained or conveyed away,the motor of the wrapper ceases operating until the packer catches up tothe wrapper as reflected by the deactivation of the photo-electricswitch. The wrapper will then resume operation at its normal wrappingcycle.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingdetailed description which is to be taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings illustrating a somewhat preferred embodiment ofthe invention and in which:

MG. 1 is a side elevatioual view of the direct feed mechanism of thepresent invention interconnecting the discharge end of the packermachine to a cellophane wrapping machine so that packets may beautomatically fed thereto, with certain parts being removed for clarity;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary diagrammatic view of a portion of the attachingmechanism and cellophane Wrapping machine more clearly illustrating thesequence of operation of the cellophane wrapper machine and the packetfeed thereto;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of the direct feedmechanism with certain parts broken away;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a direct feed mechanism;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary rear elevational view of the transferchute showing the details of the photo-electric switch and springbiasing means;

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated a direct feed mechanism14) transfers packets of cigarettes from the discharge end of apackaging machine E2 to the intake end of a cellophane Wrapping machine14-. The packaging machine 12 may be one of a number of commerciallyavailable machines such as the 3-l9 Cigarette Packer manufactured by theAmerican Machine and Foundry Co. of New Jersey. Suiiice it to say thatthe usual group of 20 cigarettes, with surrounding foil, is enclosedwithin paper by this machine 12 to form a packet 16 which at themachines discharge end will be disposed in a substantially upright orvertical position in a vertical plane. These packets are received on theplatform 18 and are fed or pushed on the table to the leading end of thedirect feed mechanism 16 in any suitable manner which for illustrativepurposes only, is shown as being accomplished by plunger 26. Generally,the feed of the packets is intermittent as is the case with thecommercial machine identified in the foregoing.

The cellophane wrapping machinery 14 on the other hand may also be of acommercially available variety and, as illustrated, may assume the formof the Turret- Type Cellophane Wrapper manufactured by the ScandiaPackaging Machinery Co. of New Jersey. An early version of this machineis disclosed in US. Patent 2,400,682 granted May 21, 1946, but theessential mode of operation is substantially the same. This machine 14picks up a cigarette packet 16 in a horizontal plane with its longestdimension extending transversely of the direction of feed of thewrapper. The machine 14 encloses the packet 16 within cellophane bysubjecting it to the various steps of the wrapping cycle and transformsthe pack into the cellophate wrapped package 22 which is thentransferred to the carton packaging station on the packing table 24.

The wrapping machine 14 in operation, will receive at its intake end 24horizontally disposed packets r6. Under the circumstances, the packetsare fed away from the discharge end of the feed mechanism it? on a bed26 by means of pushers 28. Each pusher may take the form of lugs or rodsextending between a pair of sprocket chains driven by sprocket wheels,as is the case with the machine 14 specifically identified in theforegoing.

The leading end of the packet 16 will eventually impinge upon centralsectors of a predetermined lentgh 35 of cellopheane which is suppliedfrom a rotatably mounted roll 31 constituting one of a pair of supplyrolls, the other being roll 32. These rolls are adapted to be spliced toone another when the cellophane on roll 39 is about to be exhausted orconsumed by means of a splicer 34 which is available under the nameButler Automatic Splicer manufactured by the Butler Automatic Machine,Inc. of Cambridge, Mass. The leading end of the Web 36 of the cellophanebeing fed is passed between a pair of rolls 38 and 40 which feed itdownwardly between a stationary knife 42 and a rotary knife 44. Apredetermined length 35 of the Web 35 is severed by the cooperativeaction between the knives 4 2 and 44 at such time as the leading end ofthe package 16 strikes the cellophane. The packet 16 will then carry thepredetermined length of cellophane with it between surfaces of a topplate 46 and the bed 26 at which time solvent is applied to thecellophane by a wick (not shown) to permit heat sealing of the side seamdiscussed below.

The package 16 with the embracing length of cellophane is fed into oneof the pockets 48 of a six pocket turret 559 which is inpacket-receiving position. The drive of turret 5%) is intermittent sothat a number of operations may be performed on a length 35 ofcellophane, while it, together with the packet 16 is carried thereby.Accordingly, at the next station of the turret St a bottomlongitudinally extending flap 52 is formed in the cellophane length 35by means of a pivotal tuck folder 54. Thereafter, the flap 56 is foldedover the bottom flap 52 and heat sealed thereto by means of theoscillating heater 58. It should be understood that the tucker 54 andheat sealer 58 can be incorporated into a single unit oscillatabletogether in carrying out their intended functions as is the case withthe commercial machine and as is exemplified in the above identifiedpatent. When the packet 16 and the length of cellophane 35, with itslongitudinal sealed overlapping marginal side edges, is disposed in asubstantially horizontal plane due to the intermittent travel of theturret 56, a sprocket chain driven lug 6h removes the packet 16 andembracing length of cellophate 35 from its containing pocket 48.Substantially simultaneously therewith one finger 62 of anintermittently rotatable tucket 64 constituting one of a pair disposedat opposed sides of the turret 50 comes into play. In this connectionboth operational fingers 62 form tucks in the outwardly projectingportion of the cellophane at the trailing end of the packet as itemerges from a containing pocket 48 of the turret 5%.

Immediately thereafter, another pair of opposed tuckers 66 form aforward tuck in the cellophane at the edges of the packet. Accordingly,a top and bottom flap project from the edges of the package with the topflap traveling in slot 68 and the bottom flap traveling in slot 70. Aswill be observed, the bed 26 of the machine, as Well as the top plate72, cooperate in defining these slots. An upper folder 7d urges the topflap downwardly whereas the bottom folder 76 directs the bottom flapupwardly over the top flap. Prior to this folding of the bottom flap,solvent wicks (not, shown) at both sides apply solvent to the exteriorof the top flap to facilitate heat sealing the flaps to one another. Theoverlapped flaps are then passed through a heat sealer 78 at which timethe edges of the cellophane are secured, thereby hermetically sealingthe packet therein and consequently the contained cigarettes to form thefinishd cigarette package 22.

The drive for the movable parts of the cellophane machine 14 is takenfrom the motor 80. It should be understood therefore that the movementof all cellophane machine parts are in synchronization such that theintended function of each is performed at the stated and desired timewith respect to one another, notwithstanding acceleration ordeceleration incident to starting and stopping of the motor.

' tween the output of the packaging machine and the input into thewrapper will be at random and out of synchronization with the travel ofthe rods 28. Rods have been known to rupture due to packets jamming,hanging and grouping at the wrapper inlet.

Referring now to the direct feed mechanism 1% it will be noted that aturning device 84 and transfer chute 86 are connected with one anotherand are coupled respectively to the discharge end of the packagingmachine 12 and the inlet end 24 of the wrapper machine 14. As stated thepacket 16, under the influence of plunger 20, is fed into the turningdevice 84 at which time they are turned from a substantially vertical tohorizontal position in a vertical plane. As a result of the formationand configuration of the turning device 84, the turning of the package16 therein is gradual and accomplished in successive and progressivestages. This turning movement of the packets is controlled by theircontact with the walls 83 and 90, which may be integrally joined. Asshown, the side wall 88 is curved so that at the entrance of the turningdevice, it is substantially vertical and at the discharge or deliveryend thereof substantially horizontal. The wall on the other hand curvesfrom a substantially horizontal position at the entrance of the turningdevice 84 to a substantially vertical position at the discharge endthereof.

In order to maintain the packet 16 in substantial conformity with thecontours and configuration of the side walls 88 and 99 guide rod 92extends for the length of the turning device and may be suitably securedin place in any known manner, as for example by mounting brackets orclamps 94 and 96. These brackets may be provided with suitable adjustingmeans in order to enable the guide rod 92 to be shifted away or towardsthe side walls 88 and 9ft in order to accommodate both 70 and 85 mm.packets. Thus, it will be apparent that the packets 16 enter the turningdevice 84 in a substantially vertical position under the influence ofpusher 20. They travel along the confining side walls 88 and 9%}, aswell as the guide rod 92, and during their passage therethrough areturned through an approximate 90 arc. The packets will accordingly bedelivered to the inlet end of the chute 86 in a substantially horizontalposition.

The transfer chute 86 will receive the packets l6 disposed in a verticalplane and deliver them to the wrapping machine 14- in a horizontal planein order that the cellophane may be properly wrapped around the package16. The transfer chute 86, under the circumstances, will include a pairof curved or arcuate channels 98 and 1th The inlet end of the transferchute 86 and particularly each of the guides 93 and 1% are suitablysecured to the discharge end of the turning device 8d, as for example bya suitable number of clamps or nuts and bolts. In this connection, thedelivery or discharge end of the guiding channels 98 and 19a) may besecured in like manner to the frame of the wrapping machine 14 at theinlet end 24 thereof. As illustrated, the transfer chute may be suitablyflanged for such purpose.

A spring biasing means 182 serves to induce a slight resistance to thetravel of the packets l6 stacked one against the other as they are fedthrough the turning device 84 and transfer chute 86 for purposes ofmaintaining the desired stacked relationship; preventing uncontrolledfree fall of the packs through the transfer chute 86 with consequentimproper orientation of the packs for proper feeding into the cellophanewrapping machine 14; and assuring on the other hand, predictable packetdescent whereby the relationship between the output of the pa chingmachine 1L2 and input to the wrapping machine 14 can be readilydetermined and measured in accordance with the teachings of the presentinvention.

in this connection, the biasing means 162 is comprised essentially of abracket 1G4 attached to each of theguiding channels and Mill at apredetermined elevation. A plate 1% of substantially elongatedconfiguration has one end thereof bolted to the exterior of the bracket1G4 substantially intermediate its ends. The free end of the plate 1%mounts one leg 1% of a hinge Ill having a pivot pin 112 and second leg114 projecting into the interior of the transfer chute 86 through thelongitudinal opening 116 provided between the spaced guiding channels 98and 1%. A spring 118 biases the leg 124 away from both the attachedplate 1% and associated leg 1%. This spring 118 is so calibrated thatthe inwardly projecting leg 114- will support the column of packets 16'suspended above it within the transfer chute 86, but at the same time,will enable one packet to fall at a time under the influence of theforce exerted by the plunger 242* of the packing machine 12.Accordingly, the free fall of the individual packet 15 past the biasedleg 1 14- will be controlled so that they will not be turned on end orbe oriented in any other manner than that required for proper feedingthrough the cellophane wrapping machine 14.

It should be understood that the packaging machine 12 will be set inoperation and packets in accumulated in stacked relationship in theturning device 24- and transfer chute 86 with a slight space or voidprovided between the lowermost packet held by the hinge arm 1M- and thepacket immediately below, before the cellophane wrapping machine 1% isstarted. Under ordinary circumstances, the expected packer delivery ratewill be 125 packets per minute whereas the cellophane machine will wrapthe packets at a rate of 125.5 to 12-5 per minute. Naturally, at thisrate the wrapping machine 14 will eventually wrap the packets in belowthe hinge fi l at a rate faster than they are dropped into the intakethereof.

It should be understood that the packer 12 should not feed more packetsthan the wrapper can handle because the packets will be crushed and tendto deform while in the turning device 34 and transfer chute 86. If therespective rates are equalized, it has been found that there stillremains slight crushing and depressing of the packets. Therefore, themost desirable rate differential would have the machine 14 wrapping at arate faste than the packet discharge of the machine 12. However, withthis differential as stated, there will eventually be no packets belowthe hing arm lid in the transfer chute 35 for the pushers 23 to piclc upand feed into the wrapping machine. Therefore, the present inventioncontemplates stopping the wrapping machine 14 in order that the packinmachine f2 can catch up and provide an accumulation of packets 16 withinthe transfer chute 86 below hinge arm lid to insure propersynchronization of package feed into the wra A control means isaccordingly provided for stopping the cellophane wrapping machine 14when the transfer chute 36 does not contain a certain number of packagesin for the wrapping cycle. In this connection, a photoelectric switchmeans l'Zt' is employed for such purposes, and includes a photo-electriceye having a light source 122 and photo-electric cell 124 on which thelight source impin es for detectinthe level of the packets within thetransfer chute 85 below the hinge arm 114. If the path of travel of thelight ra s to the photo-electric cell 124 is interrupted, as for exampleby the presence of packets 16 within the transfer chute 86, the motorwill continue to run normally in driving the cellophane wrapping machine14. if on the other hand, light rays from the source 122 are permittedto be directed onto the photo cell 124 the motor Sit will cease itsoperation until such time as the packets 16 will accumulate in thetransfer chute 86 and block the rays leading to the photo-electric cell124.

Under normal circumstances the motor will be deenergized for a period oftime during which the motor and consequently the cellophane wrappingmachine 14 will only decellerate but not completely stop. The cellophanemachine M, however, will stop completely in the event the packagingmachine 12 is not feeding because the level of the packets will notreach the path of the photo-electric eye. This deceleration issufficient to permit the packer to once again attain the desired wrapperintake to packer output conditions.

The photo-switch control unit 12% contains a time delay feature so thatthe small gaps Which occur between packages and spaced intervals createdby the absence of only two or three packets below the electric eye, willnot cause the cellophane machine 14 to stop unnecessarily. Therefore,the time will be set to ordinarily register a gap or space created bythe absence of more packets. By the same token, the motor will not beenergized by the momentary presence of a failing pack in the light path.To this end the signal derived by the photo-cell 124 due to theimpingement of the light from the light source 122 thereon istransmitted to the control box 126 having a built-in adjustablesensitivity control and time delay. The transmission of this signal isdependent upon the sensitivity of the cell which determines theactuation time for a fixed light source of a particular intensity. Thus,falling packets 16 or spaces therebetween other than the ones to bemeasured will not influence the operation of the motor 815 by causingerroneous signals to be transmitted. In eifect, the motor 84} will notbe actuated until the expiration of a predetermined time interval.

It should be understood that the photo-electric eye control unit 12%including the light source 122, the photoelectric cell 124 and thecontrol box 126 together with its sensitivity control and time delay areall commercially available electrical components and for this reasontheir individual constituent parts will not be disclosed nor describedin detail at this time. A typical unit usable with the present inventionmay be obtained commercially under the name Photoelectric Relay3S7505GP108 from the manufacturer General Electric Company ofSchenectady, New York. For details of this unit reference is made to themanufacturers instruction manual entitled Instructions; GEH2134(Preliminary); Photoelectric Relay 3S7505GP108.

A number of switch controls may be conveniently located in thecircuitry. In this connection the switch 134 may serve to de-energizethe photo-electric control unit 120 so that the cellophane machine maybe operated while the packets 16 are hand fed via a vertical chute 136to the cellophane wrapping machine 14. A second switch 138 may start thecellophane machine 14 independently of the packer machine 12.

Thus it should be evident that an effective and eflicientinterconnection is provided between the discharge end of a cigarettepackaging machine and the inlet of a cellophane wrapping machine. Thismechanism is substantially free from malfunctioning or trouble of anysubstantial nature, the contrary being true for most prior art attemptsat a solution to the problem solved herein. In this connection, downtime naturally is kept at a minimum if not eliminated altogether. Theautomatic feed from the packer to the wrapper eliminates the necessityfor attendant personnel at this station thereby providing for laborsaving. This saving is also amplified by the minimization of the timeand expense of skilled mechanics required to rectify malfunctioning atthis stage of operations. Of importance is the elimination of movingmechanical parts that would be required to transfer the packets from thepackaging machine to the wrapping machine, all parts being stationaryand advantage being taken of a photo-electric control means to determinethe relationship of packer output versus wrapper input. The cost ofreplacement parts is kept at a minimum, and at the same time anynecessary replacement for the interconnecting direct feed mechanism is arelatively simple matter. If the direct feed mechanism is for somereason out of order, the packets may be hand fed from the packer to thewrapper, thereby maintaining loss in production time at a relatively lowfigure. It should be readily understood by those skilled in the art,that the teachings herein disclosed are applicable to the manufacture ofother tobacco products. Most important of all, is the fact that qualityis not sacrificed in order to take advantage of the many benefitsprovided by the automatic feed attachment and direct feed mechanism ofthe present invention.

Although a single preferred embodiment of the invention has beendescribed and illustrated herein it is to be clearly understood thatthis is by way of illustration and example only and is not to be takenby way of limitation, the spirit and scope of this invention beinglimited only by the terms of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In apparatus for the manufacture of hermetically sealed packages oftobacco products comprising: feed means for discharging packets oftobacco products from the discharging end of a packaging machine; and awrapping machine for wrapping the individual packets in a an automatictransfer means for directly feeding the packets from the discharge endof the packing machine to the inlet end of said wrapping machine, saidautomatic transfer means having a receiving end coupled with thedischarge end of the packaging machine and a delivery end coupled withthe inlet end of the wrapping machine, said transfer means comprising aturning means for turning the packets of tobacco products received fromthe packing machine, a transfer chute coupled with the turning means forreceiving the turned packets from the turning means, said transfer chutehaving a delivery end at the inlet end of the wrapping machine forguiding the packets to the inlet end of the wrapping machine; controlmeans for detecting the quantity of packets within said chute todetermine the relationship between the discharge of the packing machineand the intake of the wrapping machine, said control means including aphotoelectric switch for detecting the space between packets, thephoto-electric switch being at a predetermined elevation with respect tothe transfer chute, the photo-electric switch detecting the level of thepackets at the elevation of the photo-electric switch means, timingmeans for causing initiation of the cessation of operation of thewrapping machine after the expiration of a predetermined period of timeduring which the space between adjacent packets exists, the timing meansbeing sufiicient to cause the cessation of operation of the wrappingmachine upon the detection of a predetermined elevation of the packetsbelow the photo-electric switch, and said timing means being set topermit the activation of the wrapping machine upon detection of thelevel of said packets at the elevation of the photo-electric switchmeans.

2. The invention in accordance with claim 1 wherein said chute includesa spring biased plate projecting into the interior for engaging thepackets above the photoelectric switch means disposed therein, the biasacting against said plate being suflicient to support the packets abovesaid plate while permitting packets to override said plate as thepackets are discharged into said automatic transfer means from packingmachine.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. IN APPARATUS FOR THE MANUFACTURE OF HERMETICALLY SEALED PACKAGES OFTOBACCO PRODUCTS COMPRISING: FEED MEANS FOR DISCHARGING PACKETS OFTOBACCO PRODUCTS FROM THE DISCHARGING END OF A PACKAGING MACHINE; AND AWRAPPING MACHINE FOR WRAPPING THE INDIVIDUAL PACKETS IN A WRAPPER ANDHERMETICALLY SEALING THE TOBACCO PRODUCTS THEREIN, SAID WRAPPING MACHINEHAVING AN INLET END FOR RECEIVING PACKETS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS, ANDMECHANISM FOR ENCLOSING SAID PACKET IN A WRAPPER; THE IMPROVEMENT OF ANAUTOMATIC TRANSFER MEANS FOR DIRECTLY FEEDING THE PACKETS FROM THEDISCHARGE END OF THE PACKING MACHINE TO THE INLET END OF SAID WRAPPNGMACHINE, SAID AUTOMATIC TRANSFER MEANS HAVING A RECEIVING END COUPLEDWITH THE DISCHARGE END OF THE PACKAGING MACHINE AND A DELIVERY ENDCOUPLED WITH THE INLET END OF THE WRAPPING MACHINE, SAID TRANSFER MEANSCOMPRISING A TURNING MEANS FOR TURNING THE PACKETS OF TOBACCO PRODUCTSRECEIVED FROM THE PACKING MACHINE, A TRANSFER CHUTE COUPLED WITH THETURNING MEANS FOR RECEIVING THE TURNED PACKETS FROM THE TURNING MEANS,SAID TRANSFER CHUTE HAVING A DELIVERY END AT THE INLET END OF THEWRAPPING MACHINE FOR GUIDING THE PACKETS TO THE INLET END OF THEWRAPPING MACHINE; CONTROL MEANS FOR DETECTING THE QUANTITY OF PACKETSWITHIN SAID CHUTE TO DETERMINE THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE DISCHARGE OFTHE PACKING MACHINE AND THE INTAKE OF THE WRAPPING MACHINE, SAID CONTROLMEANS INCLUDING A PHOTOELECTRIC SWITCH FOR DETECTING THE SPACE BETWEENPACKETS, THE PHOTO-ELECTRIC SWITCH BEING AT A PREDETERMINED ELEVATIONWITH RESPECT TO THE TRANSFER CHUTE, THE PHOTO-ELECTRIC SWITCH DETECTINGTHE LEVEL OF THE PACKETS AT THE ELVATION OF THE PHOTO-ELECTRIC SWITCHMEANS, TIMING MEANS FOR CAUSING INITIATION OF THE CESSATION OF OPERATIONOF THE WRAPPING MACHINE AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF A PREDETERMINED PERIODOF TIME DURING WHICH THE SPACE BETWEEN ADJACENT PACKETS EXISTS, THETIMING MEANS BEING SUFFICIENT TO CAUSE THE CESSATION OF OPERATION OF THEWRAPPING MACHINE UPON THE DETECTION OF A PREDETERMINED ELEVATION OF THEPACKETS BELOW THE PHOTO-ELECTRIC SWITCH, AND SAID TIMING MEANS BEING SETTO PERMIT THE ACTIVATION OF THE WRAPPING MACHINE UPON DETECTION OF THELEVEL OF SAID PACKETS AT THE ELEVATION OF THE PHOTO-ELECTRIC SWITCHMEANS.